New operators take over two Richmond child-care centres

Two north Richmond child-care centres whose former operator ended their leases in the spring are now under new management. Atira Women's Resource Society had operated River Run and Willow but said it could not continue because of financial challenges.

Developmental Disabilities Association leased River Run and opened it June 26. The Society of Richmond Children's Centres leased Willow and opened it Sept. 1. The City of Richmond said both organizations are experienced operators with a significant history of running child-care programs in city-owned facilities.

The city said every child enrolled in the previous programs was offered an opportunity to re-enrol. Both new operators already run $10-a-day programs. Although the province is no longer accepting applications to that program, the centres will have access to other provincial funding programs intended to support affordability for parents, workers and operating costs.

Both centres have spaces in their programs for children aged three to five. Infant and toddler programs are full and have wait-lists. A $9,000 city grant awarded to Atira last winter was returned when it ended the leases, and city council is being asked to reallocate the money between the two new operators.